The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has invited public comment on a proposed rule change to areas available for aerial and roped recreation in Utah's Mineral and Hell Roaring Canyons to protect wildlife habitat.

Public comment on a new rule intended to limit the amount of human activity in Mineral and Hell Roaring Canyons opened Tuesday, with publication of the rule in the Federal Register, according to a news release issued Monday.

“There are many great opportunities for this type of recreation in the Moab area," acting Moab field manager David Pals said, according to the release. "This proposed rule will protect a small portion of the public lands managed by the field office and leave 1.8 million acres open and available for roped and aerial recreation, including the popular Mineral Bottom BASE Jumping Focus Area, Mineral Bottom Airstrip, Corner Tower and the Fruit Bowl Highlining Area.” 

The rule will limit roped and aerial activities, such as ziplining, slacklining, climbing, rappelling, rope swinging, BASE jumping, parachuting and skydiving in Mineral and Hell Roaring Canyons, the release reported. 

This is meant to protect the habitat of the Mexican spotted owl, golden eagles and other raptors, Utah’s only endemic herd of desert bighorn sheep and other wildlife. Those locations are 30-to-43 miles west of Moab, Utah.

The Moab Canyons Special Wildlife Area was established in 2021. A permitting system allowed rock climbing in the 10,044-acre area. Another rule banned all other roped and aerial activities, according to the Federal Register.

Details can be found online.

Written comments will be accepted through email, mail or by hand delivery until March 31, according to the release. Comments can be submitted via email to kstevens@blm.gov. They may be mailed or hand-delivered to BLM Moab Field Office, Attn: Mineral and Hell Roaring Canyons, 82 E. Dogwood Ave., Moab, Utah 84532.